DPOV

I had a bad feeling.

"How bad?" Christian asked as we headed out to the parking garage.

We'd decided that his only way in to Lissa's family would be, if she even agreed to help us, to act as a buyer since the Dragomir's dealt mostly in weapons known as stakes and drugs that they labeled magic. I'd use Abe's underground request that was put out for a new bodyguard to get in with the Mazur's and keep an eye on Rose.

I had a bad feeling though.

I couldn't stop worrying about what happened after I dropped her off.

"Is it as bad as the feeing you had when we agreed to go undercover at that struck club in Spokane?" he chuckled.

I cringed at the memory and had to force my self not to smile.

"Worse. I think something might've happened to her."

"You're headed over there now. Remember though, you're there as a 'bodyguard'. Not as some dude worrying about the case victims he's crushing on."

I ignored that and got in my car.

Christian headed in the opposite direction toward Lissa's house and floored it to Rose's.

I parked my car a block over and walked.

It was cloudy outside, the sun barely breaking through the afternoon clouds. I walked at a quick pace, but not quick enough to look out of place. I blended in pretty well a little too well- with the men standing out front of the Mazur home. I remembered their faces from the case file. They were his bodyguards, the main ones, Ambrose and Mikhail.

I slowed and watched from a distance, behind the neighboring houses brush, as a tall man with salt-and-peppered long hair and beard got out of one of the flashy Cadillac's and walked into the house.

I didn't get a great view of his face, but from the extravagant dress suit, I'd bet my entire salary it was Abe Mazur.

The second the door shut behind him, after a brief pause to nod at his men, I moved out from my hiding spot.

I strolled up the walk.

The taller one, Ambrose, spoke first.

He looked from my clothing, black from head to toe, and, lucky for me, assumed I was here for the call out.

"He looks tough enough," was his greeting. He was speaking to Mikhail though.

Mikhail nodded, looked me over himself circling me, and then made a twisted, wicked, crooked smile, full of trouble.

"But is he tough enough?"

Ambrose smiled himself then at the inside, private conversation between them.

I'd expected this.

They wanted to initiate me in.

So long as it didn't involve hurting anybody, I was in.

RPOV

I jumped at the sound of the bedroom door creaking the rest of the way open. All of the doors in this house had a habit of doing that. I'd always thought Abe had the doors altered so no one could sneak up on him. I thought of it as paranoia but now I wasn't too sure.

I scooted back as far into the closet as I could.

I resisted the urge to cover my ears and shut my eyes. I had to see. I had to be brave for my mother.

"All of the maids have been sent home," the deep, cold voice spoke. I was almost grateful I couldn't actually see him.

It wasn't a question but my mother replied, "yes."

"You were here alone."

Another statement my mother answered as if it were a question.

"Yes."

"Then why was this door open."

I silently slapped my hand to my forehead.

Stupid, stupid! I'd left it open when I came in here.

My mother's voice cracked as she searched for an answer. Her hesitation was too long. He laughed. The sound of the heel of his boots clapped against the floor as he circled around the foot of the bed, probably over to my mother's side.

I could hear his cane moving with him.

They all carried it. Any important member of this crime 'family' had a stake. My father's was special though. He only used it when he was really angry and 'felt inclined, the need to use it,' I remembered he explained to me once.

My voice shook as I gasped.

I put my hand over my mouth.

I couldn't tell if it was the closet or just the chills running down my back that was making it really cold all of a sudden.

I shifted quietly, so I could see through the crack of the closet door.

I was right. My father was standing over my mother, who suddenly so small and needed to protect her.

"You continue to lie and betray me Janine. Oh the disappointment."

Dramatics.

He faced the window then. I caught my mother's eye through the crack. She was motioning for me to be quiet and still.

"I'm sorry, dear, I don't mean to-"

"Quiet." It was one word but he said it so quietly calm that was beyond scared for my mother. "Who is it? Who was here? "

My mother didn't have a reply ready. She wasn't good under pressure.

The longest moment passed. Tears started to fall from her cheeks and my father turned, realization in his eyes.

She'd given me up to him many times, chose him over me, but the only person my mother ever cried for was for me.

"So she was here. Victor told me he paid her a visit yesterday. I'd assumed she'd take the stubborn road and only run again but she came her. For you."

My mother started to weep.

"And she's still here."

Damn it.

Abe looked around the large room, his eyes resting on the closet I was hiding in. He moved toward it slowly, anticipating our 'reunion'.

"Abe no!" my mother shouted.

He was at the door then and flung it open.

"Rosie, dear."

I shrank back into the closet. At least I tried to. His smile, usually matching the creepy one Vicky wore, wasn't there. No humor, like there usually was when he was about to hurt somebody. His eyes were jet black and bottomless. His hair, the only feature besides his attitude that I'd inherited from him was thick and neatly pushed back around his face.

He hovered over me, his shadow casting me in darkness, filling the closet door.

I kept pushing my self back but he only reached down for my ankle and pulled dragging me across the floor of the room.

He let go when I was far enough out of the closet in my mother's view. I rolled onto my back and leaned up on my elbows. I'd inherited his smartass attitude, yes, but the sight of him right now scared me silent.

"I don't remember saying it was okay for you to reenter this house."

I kept mumbling and rambling "sorry" but he only spoke over me.

"Get up,' he ordered. I snapped my lips shut and stood, my legs shaking.

"I'm so sorry, I just came back to-"

"I don't remember welcoming you back into this house!"

I said the stupidest thing ever, then.

"I-I thought you were looking for me. I-I heard a-bout the bounty out for my return."

It was a quickly slap across my face. I didn't dare pull my hand up to my cheek.

"You were misinformed. The bounty was for your DEATH, not your return."

I expected my mother to gasp in surprise or shock but she only lulled against the pillow, her eyes barely open, almost sewn shut from their bruises.

"Victor-"

"I expected Victor to get the job done. He's a good man when it comes to being clean and efficient with his murders but you're something special to him. He can never seem to quite get to the point, always monolog-ing."

It was kind of ironic. That was the same word; I'd used to describe Victor.

"The bounty was out for the sport of it. Could you really be as conceited and dumb as to thinking that I wanted you home. I've been trying to get you out of here, you finally leave and you're back."

My mouth was agape in surprise. He'd hit me so many times but for some reason it surprised me how much he hated me.

My own father.

"There's always plan B. Victor couldn't get the job done so I'll have one of our newest members do it. Victor is getting up there in age," he said more to him self. "If they can't do it I will."

Why does he hate me so much? What did I do? I was only ever trying to protect my mother. I took all of the hits for her. Was that it? Was he jealous he had to share her with me?

I doubted that since she always chose husband over child.

I'm tired of being the target, of being second choice, of being the weak one.

I couldn't believe the anger and sadness that mixed together and built up inside me. I felt like a volcano, ready to explode after years of so much turmoil.

"Why don't you just do it now? Do it your self and get it over with?"

It came out in one long rush.

My chest was heaving; those words were so hard to get out. I felt so tired. The memories of living by my self on the street, feeling like the loneliest person in the world even when I was living here, unwanted and nobody loved or cared about me. It felt like that now with everything Abe was saying. I didn't asked to be born and suddenly I didn't want to live.

Who would care?

I looked over at my mother as if waiting for her to answer my mental question.

She'd fallen asleep, unwilling to face whatever pain she might be in. Looking at her I realized I'd only held on so long because of her. She rarely showed she loved me or any emotion that was only for my father but she needed me. Abe was around only when he wanted to be which was never.

I'd taken care of her most of these years. I can't leave her.

I felt like I was trying to convince my self of this rather than actually believing it.

And then there was Dimitri…

I didn't let the thought carry on…

Abe smiled.

"What's the fun in that?"

A simple straightforward direct answer.

"Now that you are here though, it will make it a lot easier. I might even get to watch."

I shuddered by how creepily scary that sounded.

And then a thought came to mind. I thought of Victor's words the night before about Abe having plans. He'd need people. Even if it was a daughter he hated.

"You need me."

He broke into hysterics after this.

"I doubt that."

"I can help you. I can…do what I used to: getting you cars, bring you packages whatever you need. I'm small and not easily seen. Please don't kill me. I'll do anything." I'd meant to sound brave but end up pleading.

I could practically hear the light bulb click on in Abe's head. He had an idea.

"Okay. You can stay. You'll run errands the way you used to and make your ties even closer with Lissa."

I sighed in relief.

"You need to reprimanded for running from me in the first place though." My relief faded immediately and I stiffened as he came toward me.